The Generations of Programming Languages | Computer Science History

Summary

This video delves into the evolution of programming languages, tracing their development from the 1940s to present day. It begins with 1GL, machine languages, used for early computer programming, and progresses through 2GL, assembly languages, which introduced mnemonics for easier readability. The video then explores 3GL, high-level languages like FORTRAN and C, emphasizing their role in code reusability. It touches on the debate over Python and JavaScript's classification before discussing 4GL, database-oriented languages like SQL, and 5GL, constraint-based languages. The host expresses curiosity about current 5GL usage and encourages viewers to engage in the discussion.

Takeaways

• 💡 The video discusses the evolution of programming languages, categorizing them into five generations: 1GL, 2GL, 3GL, 4GL, and 5GL.
• 🕒 1GL, or machine language, originated in the 1940s and involves programming directly in binary, which is efficient but difficult for humans to understand.
• 🔠 2GL, or assembly language, introduced mnemonics and English words for programming, making it more readable for humans compared to 1GL.
• 🔧 Assembly language, part of 2GL, was pivotal for debugging and introduced advanced programming methods like macros and structured programming.
• 📈 The transition from 1GL to 2GL marked a significant leap in human readability and programming sophistication.
• 🌐 3GL, high-level languages like FORTRAN, BASIC, Pascal, and C, introduced concepts like variables, loops, and error handling, making programming more accessible.
• 📝 The video clarifies a common debate, asserting that languages like Python, Ruby, and JavaScript are considered 3GL despite having some 4GL features.
• 📊 4GL languages, such as SQL, are closely related to databases and are used for queries, reporting, and GUI creation, emphasizing a more human-like approach to programming.
• 🤖 5GL languages focus on constraint-based programming and AI, aiming to solve problems with minimal human intervention.
• 📚 The video highlights the historical significance of women in early programming and computer science, emphasizing their substantial contributions.
• 🔍 The speaker shares personal experiences and insights, including the use of Prolog in college, to provide a relatable perspective on the discussed programming languages.

Q & A

What are the five generations of programming languages?

The five generations of programming languages are: 1GL (Machine Language), 2GL (Assembly Language), 3GL (High-Level Languages like FORTRAN, BASIC, Pascal, and C), 4GL (Closer to human language, often used for database-related tasks like SQL), and 5GL (Constraint-based languages and visual tools).

What is the main difference between 1GL and 2GL programming languages?

1GL programming languages are machine languages that use binary code (ones and zeros) and are directly executed by the CPU. 2GL programming languages are assembly languages that use mnemonics, which are easier for humans to understand and write, and require an assembler to convert them into machine language.

When were the first generation programming languages used?

The first generation programming languages, which are machine languages, were used back in the 1940s for programming the first generation computers.

Who are some of the key figures in the early development of assembly language?

Kathleen Booth and David J. Wheeler are two key figures in the early development of assembly language. Booth developed an assembly language for the R2 system in 1947, while Wheeler developed one for EDSAC in 1949.

What is the significance of the assembler in the context of 2GL programming languages?

The assembler is significant in 2GL programming languages because it translates assembly language into machine language, making it easier for humans to write and debug code, and introducing advanced programming methods like macros and structured programming.

What are some examples of 3GL programming languages?

Examples of 3GL programming languages include FORTRAN from the 1950s, BASIC from the 1960s, and Pascal and C from the 1970s. These languages introduced concepts like variables, constants, loops, and error handling.

Why were 3GL languages created?

3GL languages were created to allow for the reusability of code blocks, making programming more efficient and easier to manage, and they introduced higher-level constructs that were closer to human language.

What is the debate surrounding Python's classification as a 3GL or 4GL language?

There is a debate about whether Python should be considered a 3GL or 4GL language. Some people argue that Python's high-level features and capabilities make it more like a 4GL, while others maintain that it fits better within the 3GL category due to its syntax and structure.

What are the main domains for 4GL programming languages?

The main domains for 4GL programming languages are typically related to databases, including database queries, report generation, data manipulation, analysis, and reporting, as well as GUI creation and some web development tasks.

What was the initial expectation for 5GL programming languages in the 1980s?

In the 1980s, 5GL programming languages were expected to be the future of programming, with the belief that all procedural programming would be replaced by constraint-based programming. This led to significant investment in 5GL research and development.

Why did 5GL programming languages not become as widespread as initially anticipated?

5GL programming languages did not become as widespread as initially anticipated because they proved to be more difficult to implement than expected. The shift from procedural programming to constraint-based programming was not as smooth as predicted, leading to a decline in their popularity.

Outlines

00:00

💻 Introduction to Programming Language Generations

The video script begins with an introduction to the history of programming languages, highlighting the evolution from machine languages to high-level languages. The speaker discusses the concept of programming language generations, which are categorized into five distinct groups: first, second, third, fourth, and fifth-generation languages (1GL to 5GL). The script delves into the origins of machine languages, which were the first generation programming languages used in the 1940s. These languages were directly inputted into the CPU in binary form, making them efficient but difficult for humans to understand. The speaker also touches on the ongoing use of machine language for lower-level functions like drivers and firmware, despite the advent of higher-level languages.

05:02

🔧 Transition from Machine to Assembly Language

The second paragraph continues the historical narrative by discussing the shift from 1GL machine languages to 2GL assembly languages. Assembly language introduced mnemonics, making it more readable for humans compared to binary code. The script mentions the debate over the origins of assembly language, with some attributing its creation to Kathleen Booth in 1947 for the AR2 system, while others credit David J. Wheeler for his work on EDSAC in 1949. The speaker emphasizes the significant contributions of women in early computer science and programming. Assembly language, despite being a low-level language, allowed for easier debugging and introduced advanced programming techniques like macros and structural programming, primarily used in system kernels, drivers, and performance-critical applications.

10:02

🌐 The Emergence of High-Level Languages

The third paragraph marks the beginning of high-level programming languages with the introduction of 3GL. The speaker outlines the evolution of programming languages from the 1950s with FORTRAN to the 1960s with BASIC, and through the 1970s with PASCAL and C. These languages introduced concepts like variables, constants, loops, and error handling, making them more accessible and efficient for programmers. The script addresses the debate over whether languages like Python, Ruby, and JavaScript are considered 3GL or 4GL, with the speaker leaning towards categorizing them as 3GL due to their structure and capabilities. The paragraph also sets the stage for the discussion of 4GL and 5GL languages, which are more abstract and closer to human language, with 4GL focusing on database-related tasks and 5GL on constraint-based programming and visual tools.

📚 Reflections on the Evolution of Programming Languages

In the final paragraph, the speaker reflects on the historical progression of programming languages from machine language in the 1940s to the advanced languages of today. There's a brief mention of 5GL languages, which were once seen as the future of programming but did not achieve the widespread adoption initially anticipated. The speaker expresses curiosity about the practical use of 5GL languages and encourages viewers who have experience with them to share in the comments. The video concludes with a call to action for viewers to like, share, and subscribe for more content on computer science and history, emphasizing the enjoyment derived from researching and creating the video.

Keywords

💡Moore's Law

Moore's Law is the observation that the number of transistors on a microchip doubles approximately every two years, which has historically led to a corresponding increase in computing power. In the video, Moore's Law is mentioned as a foundational concept in computer science history, setting the stage for the discussion on the evolution of programming languages and their efficiency over time.

💡Generations of Programming Languages

The generations of programming languages refer to the historical progression from machine code to high-level languages. The video outlines this progression as moving from first-generation machine languages to fifth-generation constraint-based languages, illustrating the increasing abstraction and human readability of programming languages.

💡Machine Language

Machine language, also known as first-generation language (1GL), is the low-level programming language that a computer's hardware can directly execute. It consists of binary code made up of ones and zeros. The video explains that machine language was used in the 1940s and is still utilized for low-level functions like drivers and firmware.

💡Assembly Language

Assembly language is a low-level programming language that uses mnemonics to represent machine code instructions. It is considered a second-generation language (2GL) and was introduced to make programming more human-readable and manageable. The video discusses the origins of assembly language and its role in early computer programming.

💡High-Level Languages

High-level languages are programming languages that are closer to human languages and further from machine code than low-level languages. They are easier to write and understand but require compilation into machine code for execution. The video mentions high-level languages like FORTRAN, BASIC, Pascal, and C, which are third-generation languages (3GL).

💡Compiler

A compiler is a computer program that translates code written in a high-level language into machine language or object code. The video explains that compilers were first introduced in 1952 and are essential for executing code written in high-level languages like Java and C++.

💡Fourth Generation Languages (4GL)

Fourth generation languages are designed to be closer to human language and are often used for database-related tasks. The video mentions SQL as an example of a 4GL and discusses how these languages are used for database queries, report generation, and other data manipulation tasks.

💡Fifth Generation Languages (5GL)

Fifth generation languages focus on constraint-based programming and may use visual tools for development. The video explains that 5GLs were once thought to be the future of programming, with the potential to replace procedural programming. However, the complexity of implementing these languages led to a decline in their popularity.

💡Mnemonics

Mnemonics are the symbolic names for the operation codes in assembly language, which make the code more readable and understandable for humans. The video discusses how mnemonics were a significant step forward from raw machine code, allowing for easier programming and debugging.

💡Abstraction

Abstraction in programming refers to the process of hiding the complex reality while exposing only the necessary parts. The video describes how each generation of programming languages provides a higher level of abstraction, making it easier for programmers to write and maintain code without needing to understand the underlying hardware details.

💡Python

Python is a high-level, general-purpose programming language that is known for its readability and versatility. The video discusses a debate over whether Python should be considered a third-generation (3GL) or fourth-generation (4GL) language, ultimately siding with the view that Python, along with Ruby and JavaScript, is a 3GL with some 4GL capabilities.

Highlights

Introduction to the history of programming languages and their classification into five generations.

1GL (first-generation languages) are machine languages, used to directly input binary code into CPUs in the 1940s.

2GL (second-generation languages) introduced assembly languages, using mnemonics and alphabetical characters for easier human readability.

Debate over whether assembly languages originated in the 1940s or 1950s, with contributions by Kathleen Booth and David J. Wheeler.

Assembly languages are still used today for low-level operations such as device drivers and hardware interfaces.

3GL (third-generation languages) are high-level languages, starting with Fortran in the 1950s and evolving into modern languages like Java, Python, and C++.

The main purpose of 3GL languages was to introduce reusable code blocks and enable features like error handling and data types.

There’s a debate over whether languages like Python and Ruby are advanced 3GL or 4GL, with most consensus leaning towards them being 3GL.

4GL (fourth-generation languages) focus on higher abstraction, often used in database-related tasks such as SQL, report generation, and GUI development.

SQL, created in the 1970s, is one of the most widely known 4GL languages, and it's a major player in database manipulation.

5GL (fifth-generation languages) aim to replace traditional programming with constraint-based problem-solving, like AI languages such as Prolog.

Despite significant investment in 5GL research in the 1980s and 1990s, 5GL languages did not become as dominant as predicted.

The presenter emphasizes that debates over language generation classification, like whether Python is 3GL or 4GL, don't matter in practical use.

The presenter calls attention to the significant role women, like Kathleen Booth, played in the early development of programming languages.

The video concludes with an encouragement for viewers to explore related topics such as Moore’s Law and to engage with the content by subscribing.

Transcripts

all right this is a continuation to my

dive into

computer science history if you don't

know what i mean by that last video i

went over the history of moore's law

how it originated how it's been going

over the past half century and

my predictions for the future and in

this video i want to talk about

the generations or the history of

programming languages

as you know them now they're high-level

languages

and they're low-level languages but did

you also know that they're also split up

into

five generations first second third

fourth fifth

pretty easy to remember you also hear

these referred to as

one gl two gl3 gl4 gl5 gl

and that obviously means fifth

generation language

and that's what i want to talk about and

what you'll notice is that when we go

from one gl

to geo it's basically a progression

through history

where programming languages started and

where they are today

the first generation programming

languages are machine languages which

were used to

code or to program the first generation

computers this was back in the 1940s and

it was done by

by basically putting in the code into

the front panel switches of these

systems

and it goes directly to the cpu there's

no compiler no assembler

nothing like that directly to the cpu

and

it was machine learning which was made

up of ones and zeros binary so while it

is very

easy for the machine to understand it

was a lot more difficult for the human

to understand now while that

is a disadvantage it was also a perk

because

this made for very fast and very

efficient code because it didn't have to

go through any assembler compiler

the converted it was inputted directly

into the cpu and before you say anything

yeah well supposedly yeah

that people still use this to code or

it's technically called instructions you

enter the instructions into

well in this case directly into the cpu

and it is executed by the cpu

but instructions code but supposedly

still used to program lower level

functions of the computer like

like like the drivers or firmware

hardware interfaces

it's kind of weird to hear that people

still use this but that's what my

research told me

so that's what i'm telling you and just

so you understand 1gl

machine code machine language whatever

you want to call it

that is well basically when you have

your fancy

three gl plus languages like java and

python

our compilers use that code to produce

machine language for computers to

understand the second generation

programming languages are languages

associated with assembly language so we

started with 1gl

machine language now to 2gl assembly

language

this is our first ever look at a

programming language that uses

alphabetical letters english words known

as mnemonics assembly mnemonics

that that's a huge leap from just ones

and zeros

and what's actually kind of funny about

this is that you have some people

arguing the fact that

it originated in the 1940s and other

people arguing the fact that it

originated in the 1950s

i don't know why this is a debate let's

set the record straight here

it originated in the 1940s however

when you bring that up it uh brings up

another debate

and that is was it was it created by

kathleen booth back in 1947 for the r2

system

or was it created by uh david j

wheeler that's his name right yeah david

j wheeler

for edsack in 1949. well

1947 comes before 49 so i would have to

say

booth however i'm assuming the main

argument comes from the fact that

it appears that that kathleen booth's

first

assembly language was more was more

based on mathematical operations where

when it comes to wheeler's

first assembly language it was the first

ever

mnemonic based so really heavily you

know

english words alphabet letters rather

than what booth did in 1947

whatever it may be and i understand

people may be a bit more passionate

about this topic

just for the record women played a huge

role in

programming computer science around this

time and that's not me simp and that's

just the truth but either way

that can be a debate for another time

either way it was originated in the

1940s i think the main argument for

why some people say it was

originated in the 1950s well i have

three theories one was maybe it's just

because of how much it progressed

in the 1950s and it got more of a solid

disassembly language feel in the 1950s

even though it's still originally 1940s

or

it's because it wasn't popular until the

1950s or the

late 1950s actually or

and in all honesty this one is just as

likely as the previous two

someone accidentally mistyped 1950s

instead of 1940s so now you have all

these

lackluster researchers regurgitating

1950s

without actually doing any research

other than whoever made the initial typo

in the first place and it just kind of

spread throughout the internet from

there back to the actual language now

we're still not using a compiler

but this is assembly language so we are

using a

an assembler to convert this language

into machine language and this was huge

not only did assembly language allow

for easier human readability but the

assembler made it

a lot easier for actual debugging and

also introduced more

advanced methods of programming like

macro and structural programming and

while it is a big step for machine

language remember this is still a

low level language they're mostly used

in low-level kernels and drivers and

for like process oriented performance

based applications like video editing or

computer games or

graphic manipulation applications and

that's it for the low level languages

1gl machine language 2go assembly

language

now 3gl the third generation programming

languages is our first

look at a high-level language the first

few being fortran in the 1950s

basic in the 1960s pascal and c

in the 1970s and so on this was our

first introduction into variables

constants loops

error handling aggregate data types

flow constructs but the main reason for

creating the

first 3gl the main goal was to be able

to

reuse blocks or code blocks they just

continued to evolve and

now we have plenty of the languages that

you and i love today like

java and c plus plus and c sharp python

i'll address python here in a second and

of course we all know that

when we use these programming languages

now we're using a compiler

we need to use the compiler to convert

our code into machine language or object

code which by the way a compiler

was first introduced back in 1952. this

part is typically when i say

the uses for these languages but i feel

like we all know you know how you use

java and c plus plus and c

sharp and as much as i want to hop right

into 4gl

i can't just yet because there is

another debate

i don't know why people just can't agree

on these things that is python

ruby javascript and a couple others

lumped in there

some people consider these 4gl while

other people consider these advanced

3gl based on everything i see i also

consider these 3gl the thing is it

it these 3gl languages have 4gl

abilities and features but just in a 3gl

environment

and to be honest with you i think that's

the general consensus that these are all

three gl

languages with the exception of just a

few maybe those few are just really loud

in all honesty maybe and this is just

like a

theory of code theory no this is just a

theory i think

i think that people may have considered

these

4gl when they first came out but

retrospectively looking at it now that

we know

what is considered 3g on what is

considered 4gl they definitely fit

in the category of 3gl much better than

a 4gl language

which we're about to talk about in a

second not to mention the fact that like

definitions for these particular things

change over time and how it's changed

over time

all of it just leads to me saying that

python uh ruby javascript

are three geo languages i just felt like

i needed to say that now the real

the real the fourth generation languages

are just another step

closer into having a more

human another step closer to human

language form of thinking

conceptualization

that's the best way for me to put it and

considering the previous sentiment of

not knowing

which exact languages are 4gl or what

may or may not have been the first

4gl language it's hard for me to put a a

date on when exactly it originated

however

sequel originated in the 1970s sql is a

4gl

a fourth generation language with many

current 4gl languages being based

on sql sql whatever so i'm going to have

to say

the 1970s the main domains for 4gl are

typically database related like database

queries and

and reporting and things that have to do

with the database

let me read off most of of the domains

for it you have database queries report

generators

data manipulation analysis and reporting

gui creators

screen painters and generators and some

web development languages

and there are actually good amount of

4gl languages but some you may recognize

of course are sql

there's also octave matlab and

progress for gl the fifth generation

programming languages are really focused

on constraint

based languages and some use visual

tools to help you develop but when i say

constraint based languages that's

basically replacing our job

we created to replace our job constraint

based languages are languages that

basically solve the problem without the

use

of the programmer kind of like

artificial intelligence and there are a

few other domains in there

ops 5 kl1

i know there's a couple more mercury and

icad

those are all examples of 5gl languages

and i know i'm being redundant when i

say 5gl languages because that's me

saying for the generation language

languages but it rolls off tongue better

and if you haven't heard of these

languages

not a problem because i haven't either i

feel like i've heard of icap i think i'm

just

confusing it with autocad probably the

thing is in the 1980s

this five gl's were thought of the way

of the future that all

all procedural programming was going to

be replaced with constraint based

programming

programming for one reason or another

because of this

there's a bunch of money dumped into 5gl

research and development back in the

1980s and 90s

but it proved to be a little more

difficult than what they had

thought so it just kind of fell off i

mean i do remember

back in college i used prologue which

is supposedly a5 gl a fifth generation

language

but that's the only time i've ever used

prologue this is the only use case i

could ever see

myself for using prologue and that's

basically where my knowledge of it ends

and that's all i want to talk about on

the topic to be honest with you

it doesn't who really cares if something

is considered a

5gl or 4gl or 3gl like i don't know why

people arguing about whether or not

python is a 3gl or 4gl it doesn't really

matter

i just wanted to make this video to talk

about the history of programming

languages and how it progressed from

back in the

1940s from machine language to assembly

language to

you know our beloved 3gl's java python

uh c plus plus i'm sure swift would be

considered in there as well

and then to 4gl and 5gl that well 4gls

are

actually very widely used you know with

matlab and octave and sql of course

but then to 5gl which if you ever use if

you use a 5gl

like actually not just for a hot well

even for a hobby let me know in the

comment section i'm genuinely curious

i'd love to know i hope you enjoyed

watching this video as much as i did

researching and making it if you have

any friends that you think would be

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send it over to them and now you don't

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of the video

if you did like this video definitely

check out the video i made

right before this one a history of

moore's law because that one is

basically like this but with cpus and

moore's law

rather than programming languages i

can't be the only one that likes

computer science and history and

computer science history

you